The 1666 Great Fire of London caused mass displacement of 100,000 people

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

The Great Fire of London began on September 2, 1666, on Pudding Lane, destroying approximately 13,200 houses and 436 acres of the city. The disaster displaced 100,000 residents, leading to the creation of makeshift settlements in fields like Moorfields and a sharp increase in rents within surviving neighborhoods. King Charles II and legal authorities intervened by creating a Fire Court to resolve lease disputes and enacting the First Rebuilding Act of 1667 to mandate the use of brick or stone construction.

Consequences

The destruction led to more rigorous public control over urban planning, specifically regarding building materials, heights, and street widths. Additionally, the widespread financial risk exposed by the disaster spurred the emergence of fire insurance as a mechanism for property owners to mitigate future losses.

Sources

Know where. Know why.